Mr. Redlegs is watching you. Always.

Friday, May 24, 2013

The 10 most-played matchups in MLB history

(updated 4/7/15)

1) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs (2439 games).  

The Cubs have been around since 1876, and the Pirates since 1882.  

Previous cities:  Both have always been in the same city.

Previous nicknames: The Cubs were previously known as the White Stockings, the Colts, and the Orphans.   The Pirates were previously known as the Alleghenys.

Pittsburgh leads this series 1249 to 1173.

2) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals (2423 games).  

Both have been around since 1882.  

Previous nicknames: The Pirates were previously known as the Alleghenys.  The Cardinals were previously known as the Brown Stockings, Browns, and Perfectos.  

Pittsburgh leads this series 1229 to 1170.

3) San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2411 games). 

The Giants have been around since 1883, and the Dodgers since 1884.


Previous cities:  The Giants were based in New York, and the Dodgers in Brooklyn.


Previous nicknames: The Giants were once known as the Gothams, and the Dodgers had a ridiculous array of nicknames - Atlantics, Grays, Bridegrooms, Grooms, Superbas, and Robins.


San Francisco leads this series 1210 to 1184.


4) Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2375 games).

The Braves franchise has existed since 1876, and the Phillies since 1883.

Previous cities: The Braves were in Boston and Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta.

Previous nicknames: The Braves were previously called the Red Stockings, Beaneaters, Doves, Rustlers, and Bees.  The Phillies were originally known as the Quakers.


The Braves lead this series 1235 to 1125.

5) Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals (2345 games).

The Cubs have been around since 1876, and the Cardinals since 1882.

Previous cities: Both teams have always been in their respective cities.

Previous nicknames:  The Cubs were known as the White Stockings, Colts and Orphans.  The Cardinals were originally the Brown Stockings, then the Browns, and then the Perfectos. 


The Cubs lead this series 1189 to 1137.

6) San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves (2334 games).

The Braves franchise has existed since 1876, and the Giants since 1883.

Previous cities: The Giants were in New York before moving to San Francisco.  The Braves were in Boston and Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta.

Previous nicknames: The Giants were originally called the Gothams.  The Braves were known as the Red Stockings, Beaneaters, Doves, Rustlers and Bees.

The Giants lead this series 1231 to 1077.

7) St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds (2336 games).

The Reds and Cardinals have both existed since 1882.

Previous cities:  Both teams have always been in their respective cities.

Previous nicknames:  The Reds have also been the Red Stockings and Redlegs.  The Cardinals have been the Brown Stockings, Browns and Perfectos.

The Cardinals lead this series 1206 to 1109.

8) Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2334 games).

The Cubs have existed since 1876, and the Phillies since 1883.

Previous cities: Both have always been in the same city.  

Previous nicknames:  The Cubs were previously known as the White Stockings, Colts and Orphans.  The Phillies were originally the Quakers.

The Cubs lead this series 1217 to 1099.

9) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds (2324 games).

The Reds have existed since 1882, and the Dodgers since 1884.

Previous cities:  The Reds have always been in Cincinnati, but the Dodgers were originally in Brooklyn.

Previous nicknames:  The Reds have also been known as the Red Stockings and Redlegs.  The Dodgers have been called the Atlantics, Grays, Bridegrooms, Grooms, Superbas, and Robins.

The Dodgers lead this series 1168 to 1142.


10) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds (2289 games).

The Reds and Pirates have both been around since 1882.

Previous cities: Both teams have always been in their respective cities.

Previous nicknames: The Reds have also been the Red Stockings and Redlegs.  The Pirates were originally the Alleghenys. 

The Pirates lead this series 1145 to 1125. 


Because the earliest American League franchises weren't established until the start of the 20th century, none of them appear on this list.  The most-played rivalries in the AL:

1) Tigers/Indians (2159 games) - Tigers lead 1097-1050

2) Red Sox/Orioles (2157 games) - Red Sox lead 1172-971

3) White Sox/Twins (2156 games) - White Sox lead 1114-1026

4) Yankees/Orioles (2127 games) - Yankees lead 1259-854


5) Red Sox/Yankees (2118) - Yankees lead 1150-954

Note: As usual, baseball-reference.com was the main source for this post.  If you have any questions or corrections, don't hesitate to leave a comment.


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